Locking arrangement for small inserts



P 1954 E. s. IRELAN 2,688,814

LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR SMALL INSERTS Filed Oct. 9, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l p 14, 1954 E. s. lRELAN LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR SMALL INSERTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1951 Patented Sept. 14, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE LOCKING ARRANGEMENT FOR SMALL INSERTS Ellison S. I felan, Elgin, Ill.,. ass i gnor Illinois I Watch Case Co.,, a corporationof Illinois Application October 9, 1951,- Serial No'. 250,428

. 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a device formaintaininginsertsin position. More particularly, itrelates to means for maintaining in position decorative inserts such as are used in jewelry and in various types of metal objects where it is desired to have a decorative pattern of color inserts positioned thereon. 7

An object of this invention is to provide a device for-readily positioning a decorative insert on the back of a metallic object. Another object of the invention is to maintain a decorative insert in position in an aperture in a piece of metal. A further object of the invention is to provide means for maintaining an insert in a piece of metal so that an observer can-view the insert without being aware of the means whereby it is maintained in position. A still further object is to provide a simple retaining device for positioning a decorative insert in an aperture slightly smaller than the insert.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification and the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a novel womans compact in the form of a bird, the head of which has eyes formed of inserts in accordance with this invention;

Fig.2 is a perspective view of the head portion of the figure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partially in section, of a part of the head shown in Fig. 2 showing the retainer which maintains the eye piece inserts in position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the retainer which positions the inserts;

Fig. 4a is a sectional view of the retainer,

Fig. 5 is a broken sectional view taken along the lines 55 of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken alongthe lines 6 6 of Fig, 5; and

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the inserts and retaining portion shown in Fig. 3 indicating the manner of assembling the parts.

In the manufacture of small metal articles such as cigarette cases, womens cosmetics compacts and other articles made of metal, it is frequently desirable to incorporate a decorative pattern of inserts in order to enhance sales appeal. These inserts may provide color contrast in the article or may be incorporated largely in order to give a particular pattern. Where the insert is itself of metal with a colored finish such as baked enamel it has been the custom to bore a hole in the metal article and rivet the insert into place, the insert itself being in the form of a 2 rivet, the head. of which constitutesthe colored or otherwise decorated portion which is visible from the outside of the article. Semi-precious stones may beused in a decorative pattern. In this event it is necessary to form the metal around the stone in order to hold it in place. In accordance with this invention there is provided a simple means for. positioning an insert, particularly one made of a mineral, without forming metal therearound.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a figure in the form of a bird has a removable head I l. The article I0 may be considered a woman's cosmetics compact and the head piece ll may be the handle of a lipstick container [2. A pair of inserts l3 form the eye pieces of the head I I. In the embodiment shown these inserts would generally be minerals such as quartz or even more preciousstones, but itis also contemplated that they be anodized or otherwise colored metal balls. head II is an anchor plate [4. which serves as a means ofv attaching a retainer [5 and the barrel I2 of the lipstick container to the head H. The anchor plate l4 may be mounted on the head I l by brazing, spot welding or any similar means which will provide a strong solid mounting. The underside of the anchor plate [4 preferably has a nut l6 permanently attached thereto, as by soldering.

The retainer I 5 is best shown in Fig. 4. It has a bulged surface or arched central portion (when in unstressed condition), and two projecting tab portionsll which are bent back so as to provide spring action when the retainer [5 is forced in the direction of the projecting portions H. A bolt l8 cooperates with the nut IS in holding the lipstick barrel l2 and the retainer l5 in position against the anchor plate Hi. When tightened in positionthe. retainer l5 lies flat, thus increasing the. outward forceor holding action of the tabs .In-order to prepare a Work piece for inserts such as 13 it isnecessary to bore a hole therein slightly lessindiameter than the diameter of the insert. As best shown in Fig. 3 it is desirable to have these holes tapered somewhat with the widest portion of the taperon the side of the inserts. However, this. is not absolutely necessary as an untapered bore will provide a satisfactory surface against which the inserts l3 may seat. A tapered bore has the advantage of giving a flush appearance to the inserts when viewed by an observer. While the retainer I5 is shown as having two projecting portions ll, it is obvious that it could have more or fewer and still function satisfactorily.

Mounted in the l In order to position inserts in accordance with this invention it is only necessary to provide a suitable bore in the workpiece and position an insert therein from the side away from the observer. It is preferable to provide a temporary means of holding the insert in place until the parts are finally assembled. Paper backing or some adhesive material is satisfactory for this purpose. As best shown in Fig. '7 the inserts it, which are here illustrated l as small spheres rather than rivets are placed in position in back of the eye apertures and the retainer I5 is then positioned against the anchoring member M in such a manner that the projecting portions l7 engage the eye inserts 13. The lipstick barrel [2 is now pressed. against the retainer I 5 and the bolt [8 is extended through the lipstick barrel l2, retainer l5 and anchor member 14 into the nut I6. The retainer I5 is preferably made of spring brass or a similar fiat springy material so that the projecting portions ll are spring biased against the inserts 63 when the central portion of the holding member Iii is seated on the anchoring member l4. With the arrangement described above, the inserts [3 are strongly maintained in position and there is very little likelihood they will ever come loose. This represents a considerable improvement over the use of rivets as inserts since the rivets may loosen up during use.

For further details of the construction of the compact disclosed in this application reference may be had to my copending applications Serial Nos. 250,427 and 250,429, copending Vogelman application Serial No. 250,403 and copending Fritz application Serial No. 250,415 all filed October 9, 1951.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a womens cosmetics container: a case; a decorative insert on said case, said insert being seated against the rim of an aperture in said case; a springy retaining member having a portion bent at an angle and disposed to engage said insert and maintain its position against the rim of said aperture; and means for anchoring said retaining member whereby substantial spring tension is maintained by said portion in the direction of said insert in seated position against the rim of said aperture, rigidly holding said insert in place.

2. A womans cosmetics container comprising: case; a pair of decorative inserts positioned in said case where they may be viewed from the outside of said case by an observer; a retaining member having two springy portions bent at an angle and disposed to engage said inserts; and an anchor member for holding said retaining member whereby substantial spring tension is maintained by the bent portions of said retaining member in the direction of said inserts, rigidly holding said insert in place.

3. An insert retaining device comprising: means for seating an insert, said seating means being smaller in contour than the insert it is desired to seat; a springy retaining member having a portion bent at an angle back upon itself, said portion being disposed to engage an insert and maintain it positioned against said seating means; an anchor plate for positioning said retaining member whereby substantial spring tension is maintained by the bent portion of said retaining member in the direction of an insert, rigidly holding said insert in place; and screw means for holding said retaining member in contact with said anchor plate.

4. A lipstick case having a gripping portion at one end thereof; a plurality of decorative inserts on said lipstick gripping portion, said decorative inserts having substantially a spherical shape; a retaining member comprising a piece of springy metal having an arched central portion and having bent-back portions to engage said inserts; and means for positioning said retaining member opposite said inserts and for flattening said arched portion whereby the projecting portions of said retaining member rigidly engage said inserts at substantially a point, with substantial spring pressure.

5. An insert retaining device comprising: a springy member having a bulge to increase the spring thereof; at least two tabs extending from the edge of said member and bent back at an acute angle upon said member; and means for positioning said member on a supporting element having at least two spaced openings therein whereby each of said tabs may engage an insert at substantially a point and rigidly position it in an opening by means of spring pressure, said inserts each having a portion adapted to extend into said opening and a portion adapted to abut against said supporting element.

6. A lipstick case comprising: a barrel for holding lipstick; a handle connected to said barrel, said handle having a plurality of small apertures therein; decorative inserts extending through said apertures from the interior of said handle; a plate mounted across the interior of said handle; a retainer of springy material positioned on said plate, said retainer having an arched central portion; a plurality of spring tabs on said retainer said tabs being bent back at an acute angle upon said retainer, each tab impinging on one of said decorator inserts at a single point and holding it rigidly in place; and means for attaching said retainer firmly to said plate, said means at least partially flattening the arch in said retainer, substantial spring pressure being exerted on said inserts by virtue of said flattened arch and said spring tabs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,592,561 Godley July 13, 1926 2,223,968 Schlitzer Dec. 3, 1940 2,355,565 See Aug. 8, 1944 2,605,385 Levinson July 29, 1952 

